By Mike Nicks
Cal Crutchlow, one of the hottest young names in British Superbikes after scoring his first podium position at
Brands Hatch today, has options to join HM Plant Honda or remain with his current Rizla Suzuki team, he said on Sunday night.
"It looks very likely that I'll go to Honda," the 21-year-old revealed. "But if not, I have a great offer from Rizla Suzuki. Next year I really want to have a go at winning the championship."
Crutchlow was one of many top riders uncertain about their future last night after the 26-race series closed with the shock withdrawal of the GSE Racing Airwaves Ducati squad, who are deadlocked in a dispute over regulations with the organising MCRCB (Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board).
Rumour and counter-rumour were flowing round the paddock as riders and teams tried to piece together a mighty jigsaw in the repercussions of GSE's departure from a series they have won three times.
Crash.net took a tour of the pitboxes and hospitality units to see what some of the key players were saying:
Airwaves' Gregorio Lavilla, who won both races on Sunday: "I wanted to stay with GSE. I have not talked to other teams. But now I'll have to go home, think about things and pick up the phone to see what there is in WSBK or BSB."
Leon Haslam, third in the series this year with Airwaves: "I'll make a decision tonight or tomorrow. I'm talking to Rizla Suzuki, HM Plant Honda, Frankie Chili's Honda WSBK team, and Ducati."
Leon Camier, the 21-year-old BikeAnimal Honda rider who is recovering from a broken femur: "I expect a decision in the next week or two. I could be with HM Plant Honda next year."
Chris Walker, who is leaving Rizla Suzuki this year: "I've not had a good season but the phone's been hotter than I thought it would be. I'm talking to Hydrex Honda and Virgin Yamaha in BSB, to DFX Honda and my old PSG-1 Kawasaki team in WSBK, and to Triumph, Honda and Kawasaki teams in World Supersport."
